Da Nang steps up cooperation with France and the Philippines
DNO - Standing Vice Chairman of the Da Nang People’s Committee Ho Ky Minh on June 29 received Olivier Brochet, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to Vietnam, who was on a farewell visit marking the conclusion of his diplomatic tenure.
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The two sides discussed directions for expanding cooperation between Da Nang and French partners.
During the meeting, Mr Ho Ky Minh thanked Ambassador Brochet for his active role in fostering ties between Da Nang and French localities and organizations throughout his tenure.
He noted that, following the city's recent administrative expansion, Da Nang now possesses greater potential to develop key sectors, including tourism, logistics, seaports, high technology, information technology and, in particular, the Viet Nam International Financial Centre in Da Nang.
It is hoped that, building on his credibility and significant contributions during his tenure, Ambassador Olivier Brochet will continue to support the development of cooperation between Da Nang and French local authorities, businesses and partners in the years ahead.
Da Nang also looks forward to the Ambassador continuing to serve as a bridge between the city and French institutions, enterprises, investors and financial experts, encouraging them to explore cooperation and investment opportunities in Da Nang.
The city further hopes to benefit from France’s experience in developing international financial centres, as well as its expertise in other priority sectors identified by Da Nang.
Ambassador Brochet praised Da Nang's development achievements, noting that many of the city's priority sectors correspond with France's areas of strength.
He affirmed his commitment to continue encouraging French businesses and investors to explore opportunities in Da Nang and to support the city's International Financial Centre initiative by facilitating knowledge sharing and cooperation with French institutions and experts.
Also, France will continue expanding partnerships with Da Nang in culture, education and the film industry. The Ambassador also reaffirmed France's support for the Da Nang Asian Film Festival (DANAFF), including stronger connections with international film festivals, while promoting closer cooperation between Da Nang and the French port city of Le Havre.
Also on June 29, Standing Vice Chairman Ho Ky Minh welcomed Francis Noel R. Fernandez III, Ambassador of the Philippines to Vietnam, during his official visit to Da Nang.
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Mr Ho Ky Minh welcomed Ambassador Francisco Noel R. Fernandez III on his first official visit to Da Nang and thanked him for serving as a member of the judging panel for the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF) 2026.
Noting that the Philippines will assume the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2026, Mr Ho Ky Minh expressed his hope that the Ambassador would continue to facilitate connections between Da Nang and Philippine localities, businesses and investors, encouraging them to explore cooperation and investment opportunities in the city.
He highlighted Da Nang's priority sectors, including the blue economy, high-quality human resources training for logistics and high-tech industries and the development of the Viet Nam International Financial Centre in Da Nang.
The city also would like the Ambassador to recommend a Philippine locality with similar development characteristics to establish a friendship and cooperation relationship with Da Nang.
In addition, Da Nang hopes the Ambassador will continue promoting the city’s profile, connecting it with regional forums and events, and encouraging Philippine businesses and investors, and those from ASEAN as a whole, to explore investment and business opportunities in the city.
The city also expects the Da Nang-Manila direct air route to further strengthen tourism, trade and investment exchanges between the two sides.
Ambassador Francisco Noel R. Fernandez III said he was impressed by Da Nang’s dynamic development during his first visit and commended the organization of DIFF 2026, describing it as an event of international standards.
He noted that the direct Manila-Da Nang air service provides a strong foundation for expanding people-to-people exchanges and expressed his hope that both sides would work together to promote tourism and increase visitor flows between the two countries.
The Ambassador also proposed expanding cooperation in human resource development, particularly in training high-quality English teachers and accounting professionals to support Da Nang’s ambition of becoming an International Financial Centre.
He reaffirmed the Philippines’ readiness to share its experience in developing the blue economy and agreed with the proposal to establish a friendship and cooperation partnership between Da Nang and a suitable Philippine locality, laying the groundwork for long-term collaboration across multiple sectors.
Later the same day, Chairman of the Da Nang Union of Friendship Organizations Nguyen Ngoc Binh received Ambassador of the Philippines to Vietnam Francisco Noel R. Fernandez III during his working visit to the city.
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At the meeting, Nguyen Ngoc Binh proposed that the Philippine Embassy coordinate with Da Nang in organizing activities to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the Philippines, contributing to stronger people-to-people exchanges and the further deepening of the Enhanced Strategic Partnership between the two countries.
He also called for closer cooperation in organizing trade, investment and tourism promotion conferences, as well as cultural exchange programmes involving the Filipino community in Da Nang.
In addition, he hoped the Philippine Embassy to continue serving as a bridge connecting businesses, encouraging greater Philippine investment in Da Nang and strengthening cooperation between universities and educational institutions.
Expanding academic exchanges, human resource development initiatives and youth exchange programmes, he said, would help build a solid foundation for long-term cooperation between Da Nang and localities in the Philippines.
Ambassador Francisco Noel R. Fernandez III praised the Da Nang Union of Friendship Organizations for its active role in promoting friendship and mutual understanding between the peoples of the two countries.
He also proposed jointly organizing a business forum in Da Nang and expressed hope that the city would further promote its investment environment while encouraging more Vietnamese enterprises to explore business and investment opportunities in the Philippines.
Both sides agreed to maintain close coordination and further leverage the role of people-to-people diplomacy in advancing the Vietnam-Philippines Enhanced Strategic Partnership.